Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is a modern multicultural city, with deep roots in history. With a growing food scene, museums, art galleries, impressive architecture and an underground music scene, it’s a budget friendly destination for all ages.
There are three transport options from Sofia Airport (SOF) to the city centre of Sofia. You can choose between a Sofia airport taxi, metro or public bus. A taxi ride to the city centre of Sofia is approximately €9 (BGN17.6) and the journey duration is 25 minutes on average. You can also opt for the metro to the city centre of Sofia; just take metro line M2 to Serdika. A single metro ticket costs €0.8(BGN1.6) and it will take 26 minutes to reach the city centre. If you prefer to travel by bus, there are two buses leaving the airport with direction to Sofia city. Buses 84 and 184 follow the same route and run every 30 minutes on average.
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Getting from Sofia Airport to City Centre
Kostas PlisiotisApril 14, 2022
Comparison of the options
| OPTION | PRICE | DURATION | AVAILABILITY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pickups | €19 | 25min | 24/7 | |
| Taxi | €9 | 25min | 24/7 | |
| Metro | €1.6 | 26min | 05:00–00:00 | |
| Bus | €1.6 | 40min | 05:40–23:36 |
How to get from Sofia Airport to city centre by taxi
Taking a taxi from Sofia airport to the city centre of Sofia is quite an affordable transport option. The airport authority cooperates with and recommends the operator OK Supertrans AD. To secure a ride, approach the airport taxi desks located at the Arrivals Hall or use one of the automatic machines to get a slip. Follow the signs to Taxis and pay the final fare when you reach your destination.
Taxi fare from Sofia Airport to city centre
Sofia Airport taxis are metered. The taxi fare from Sofia Airport to the city centre of Sofia, when 4 passengers travel, is approximately €7-10(BGN15-20) depending on whether you’re travelling during the day or night and whether there is more traffic than usual. There’s also a call-out charge of €0.3(BGN0.7) which is added to the final fare.
Taxi prices
Day time
(05:00–24:00)
(05:00–24:00)
Night time
(00:00–05:00)
(00:00–05:00)
Duration
FROM SOF TO CITY CENTRE
€8
€10
25
FROM SOF TO HOTELS IN CITY CENTRE
€8
€10
25
FROM SOF TO BANSKO
€80
€90
140
FROM SOF TO BOROVEC
€50
€55
80
Cost
€9
Trip Duration
25 Min.
*If you travel at night there is a small night ride surcharge of €0.05(BGN0.1) per kilometre.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Taxis at Sofia Airport are available 24/7
Where do I get it from?
Taxis are located at both Sofia Airport terminals. To get a taxi, approach the company desks in the Arrivals Hall of Terminals 1 and 2 and arrange a taxi ride. Collect your slip and head to the taxi ranks following the yellow markings on the floor. Once you’re at the taxi ranks, board a vehicle showing the driver your slip and they will take you to your destination.
Convenience
Choosing a taxi for your transportation from Sofia airport to the city centre, is the most convenient transport option, as taxis are available 24/7. There are official taxi desks inside the terminals, where employees will assist you with your ride. In case something goes wrong with your ride, you can refer back to the slip collected at the counters to ask for assistance.
Editor’s Note
Avoid using non-authorised taxi drivers and operators at Sofia Airport, as there have been cases of fraud and abuse. It is better to travel with an official provider to protect your rights.
Useful Tips
How to get from Sofia Airport to city centre by metro
Taking metro line M2 from Sofia Airport is a fast and affordable option. To reach Sofia city centre you need to walk to Sofia Airport Metro Station, which is located close to Terminal 2. Metro trains leave the station approximately every 15 minutes and the journey duration to city centre station Serdika is 26 minutes. A single ticket costs €0.8(BGN1.6) and the metro network operates from 00:05 to midnight daily.
How much is the metro ticket from Sofia Airport to the city centre of Sofia?
A single metro ticket from Sofia Airport costs €0.8(BGN1.6). You can buy a ticket from the cashier desks and the automatic ticket machines at the Airport Metro Station.
Cost
€0.8
Trip Duration
26 Min.
*If you want to change to the metro line M1 after using M2, you can do so with same ticket.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The metro network operates 00:05-00:00 daily and trains pass by Sofia Airport Metro Station roughly every 15 minutes.
Where do I get it from?
The Sofia Airport Metro Station is located close to T2 of the airport. If you land at Terminal 2, you can simply walk to the metro station. If you land at Terminal 1, there is a free terminal transfer service you can use, leaving every 30 minutes from T1 to T2 between 7am-7pm. If you land at Sofia Airport Terminal 1 outside of these hours, you can still request a free of charge terminal transfer service at the Information Desk.
Convenience
Using the metro network for your transport to Sofia city centre from the airport of Sofia is a quite convenient transport option especially if your final destination is located at a walking distance from the Serdika metro station in the city centre. Alternatively, you will have to change metro lines using the same ticket or take a taxi or bus to your final Sofia city centre destination.
Editor’s Note
Remember to check your exact city centre destination before boarding the Sofia Metro network. Serdika station is one of the most central stations in downtown Sofia, but you may need to get off at a different stop.
Useful Tips
How to get from Sofia Airport to city centre by bus
There are two buses from Sofia Airport to the city centre of Sofia: 84 and 184. Both buses follow the same route to the city centre, where you need to get off the bus at General Gurko Street next to Knyazheska Garden. The journey duration is 40 minutes and buses leave the airport daily, every 30 minutes on average, passing by both terminals.
How much is the bus ticket from Sofia Airport to the city centre of Sofia?
A single bus ticket to the city centre of Sofia costs €0.8(BGN1.6) for either bus. You can purchase a bus ticket from kiosks and machines at Sofia Airport Arrivals Hall. There’s also an Urban Mobility Centre in Terminal 2, where you can purchase tickets and ask for help.
Cost
€0.8
Trip Duration
40 Min.
*Traffic conditions can significantly alter the duration of the journey to Sofia city centre.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Buses 84 and 184 leave the airport every 30 minutes on average. Bus 84 operates 05:40 - 23.36 and bus 184 operates 04:50 - 23.17.
Where do I get it from?
Buses stop at both Sofia Airport terminals, right outside the Arrivals Hall as you exit the building. You can request more information at the kiosks.
Convenience
Travelling by bus from Sofia airport to the city centre of Sofia is not the most convenient option. There is no late-night service and passengers are only entitled to 2 pieces of luggage each due to restricted luggage space on board. The city centre stop is located a couple of kilometres away from the actual city centre of Sofia, so it is possible you will need to use another bus or a taxi from there.
Editor’s Note
Bus schedule information is only available in Bulgarian on the official Sofia transport website. Locating your bus number online will give you an indication of times and routes.
Useful Tips
Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100
We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.
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20 minute gap between transfers
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Regular Car Sanitisation
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Contactless ride
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Sanitiser in every car
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Sofia airport to the city centre?
A taxi from Sofia Airport to the city centre of Sofia is approximately €7-10(BGN15-20).
How far is Sofia from the Airport?
The distance between Sofia Airport and downtown Sofia is 12.2km. You can reach the city centre either by taxi, metro or public bus.
How much are taxis in Sofia?
Taxis in Sofia are metered. This means that the final fare depends on your destination, time of travel, and journey duration. A taxi ride from the airport of Sofia to the city centre of Sofia is €7-10(BGN15-20).
Does Bulgaria have Uber?
Uber does not currently operate in Bulgaria. However, you can take an official taxi at the Sofia airport, or pre-book and pre-pay your airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.
How many terminals does Sofia Airport have?
Sofia Airport has two terminals. You can travel to the city centre by taxi, and bus from T1 and taxi, bus, and metro from T2.
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